I ate too much.
Far too much.
My stomach churned while my face took on a green shade. I sat, my back hunched slightly, in my seat. My eyes stared at the grotesque sight of my plate stained with the remains of bits of food while I absently took in parts of the conversation flitting around me. Gone was the talk of perverted old professors; we'd passed that topic long ago, going on to discuss all things Quidditch: Quidditch players, Quidditch equipment, dates and times of Quidditch games, Quidditch robes, and now finally settled on the age old, philosophical question...the chicken, or the egg?
Jim had been pouting ever since Remus brought the question up, taking over the discussion.
"Without the chicken, there would be no egg," Peter insisted, licking his lip before shoving a spoonful of steak into his mouth.
"Duh, how did the chicken get here?" Sirius argued, tapping Peter's forehead non-too-gently with one of Remus' drumsticks he still held.
"In an egg, from another chicken." Peter answered quickly, nearly forgetting to swallow.
"Let's not forget the fact that it could have been a wizard creating the chicken, or the egg," James pointed out, twirling his wand in the same manner Sirius had been handling Remus' drumsticks.
"God, I love debate," Remus grinned, talking mostly to me and Jim, probably not wanting to disturb the thrilling, stimulating, intelligent argument. My discomfort drove my mouth to open to dish out a scathing remark about my objections to this dinner talk, but the excited gleam in his eye stifled my attempt. I merely sighed and slumped back in my seat, massaging my poor tummy as Remus jumped into the argument.
Jim, who had been doodling a picture of a Quidditch player on a napkin, looked up at my sigh.
"You ate a lot," he remarked softly, a small smile dancing across his lips.
"Sirius challenged me," I defended myself.
"Ah." Jim nodded, and I noticed with a slight flutter of my heart, that he adjusted himself in his seat so he was sitting closer to me. He was closer yet when he leaned forward and speak softly in my ear, "But you see his face? It's lacking a certain gray hue yours holds."
Momentarily bewitched by his sexy stare, the pangs in my stomach demanded my attention again. I moaned and leaned forward to stare at my plate woefully again. "That's because he has six stomachs and I only have one."
My moan had caught the attention of the rest of the guys, who all laughed at my expense. "I'm surrounded by gentlemen," I muttered sarcastically.
Jim laughed a little harder at that, but nonetheless stood, gently pulling me up with him. "Come on."
He led me into another room, an elegant, large room showered in deep burgundies and golds. The lit fireplace and a few candles were the only sources fighting the growing darkness behind the windows. What the large windows didn't cover, cases and cases of books did. Near the fireplace sat a plush, red couch, and two matching armchairs. With a quick pang of nostalgia, I noticed the room greatly resembled the Gryffindor commons.
Jim led me to the couch.
"Alright, why don't you lie down for a bit. You'll feel better soon," he assured me. I did as he requested and he propped a soft pillow under my head. I sighed, closing my eyes, then swallowed before taking another deep breath. I felt Jim gingerly taking off my shoes.
"Would you like a blanket?" he asked.
"No, thanks." I smiled slightly, peeking at him underneath my eyelashes. My hand wandered to my stomach, rubbing it lightly again. I watched, stiffening very slightly, as Jim slowly sat by my side. His face appeared even more intense in the fire's light, shadowing darting around each feature. Concern was etched around his eyes and mouth. My mouth quirked when I met his eyes and I relaxed once more.
Thousands of thoughts danced around my mind.
God, he was gorgeous.
We'd look amazing as a couple (or rather, Jim would continue looking amazing, while enhancing my presence with him by my side).
His lips look so soft.
I hate food.
Damn all food challenges to hell.
The flight should...oooh, my stomach feels ten times better with his hand lightly massaging it.
The rest of my thoughts disappeared instantly. His hand kept grazing my own and warming my stomach. I took a deep breath, mesmerized. Our eyes were still connected, seemingly unable to break the spell. His glasses caught the firelight every now and then, making his eyes all the more smoldering.
"Any better?" Jim's lips barely moved, his voice so quiet I wouldn't have heard his question if there had been any noise whatsoever aside from the cackling fire.
"Uh," I mumbled. Work brain, work! I silently nodded. His hand slowed their ministrations, and try as I might, I couldn't stop the disappointment from flashing in my eyes.
"That's good," he murmured, taking his hand that wasn't on my stomach and tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear. My breath hitched when he stroked my cheek gently. "It's been a long day," he whispered.
Was his face a little closer to mine?
"Yeah," I whispered right back, not wanting to break the mood.
"Yeah," he repeated quietly. His hand began rubbing my belly again. My breath caught in my throat again. I couldn't seem to get enough air in my lungs suddenly.
Oh, oh, he was getting closer.
"Yeah."
It was really happening.
His thumb softly rubbed the skin underneath my eye, causing them to flutter close again. My smile grew a little. Soon, I could feel his warm breath on my face. My hands were sweaty with anticipation, my heart thumping wildly. So close.
So close...
"...and Frank was going to stop by there sometime tonight or tomorrow."
I felt Jim jerk back and my eyes flew open at the sound of Peter' voice. His hands pulled away from my cheek and stomach, finding their own places to support himself on the couch. All four band members entered the room just as Jim pushed himself up off the couch. I nearly flung my arms around his torso to stop him, but held myself back just in time.
"Here, Lily," Remus said, coming over and handing me a steaming cup. "This should make you feel a little better. Careful; it's hot."
Propping myself up against the armrest of the couch, I took it, taking heed of his warning. "Thanks," I responded gratefully.
"Hey, I'm sorry about that," Sirius said, throwing himself down on one of the chairs gracefully.
"He sometimes forgets that not everyone can eat three four-course meals and still save room for five desserts," James supplied, planting himself down on the rug.
Sirius shot him a rude gesture before turning back to me, genuine remorse in his eyes, "I am sorry...but hey, potions was one of Remus' best subjects at school. That stuff should make you feel better in no time."
"You're forgiven," I said, taking a small sip of the vile-tasting green liquid. "It was my fault for accepting your challenge anyways," I continued wryly.
We gradually fell into a lighthearted conversation. Remus took the other chair, leaving Jim and Peter to settle themselves on the floor with James.
Remus and I were discussing a recent article in the Daily Prophet when Peter suddenly said loudly, "Sirius, truth or dare?"
Instantly, the guys groaned, but Sirius answered with a gleam in his eye, "Dare."
"Run two laps around the house," Peter challenged. Sirius' eyes wandered to the window, watching rain splatter the glass pane fiercely. All were staring at him curiously.
Then, Jim quirked a brow, "It's more of a mansion-"
"-and with the way Sirius runs-" Remus chimed in.
"We'll be waiting forever," Jim laughed.
That was all the prompting Sirius needed. He shot up out of his chair and exited the room, throwing a forceful, "Time me," over his shoulder. I buried my face in my pillow to stifle my laughs. Remus' potion had worked quickly, the empty cup sitting safely on the floor next to the couch.
James was on his feet as fast as Sirius had been, and took Sirius' chair the second the door shut to the outside.
My eyes wandered over to Jim, who was leaned up against my couch. "I can move my feet if you want to get off the floor."
Jim looked up at me and smiled, "That's alright; just stay comfortable." Swoon.
"How old are we?" Remus asked with a tint of amusement. "Playing truth or dare..."
"Remember playing it back at Hogwarts?" Peter asked.
"It was better there," Jim remarked, ruffling his hair. "We had McGonagall and Snivellus to use for dares."
My eyes darted to one of the windows and I smirked slightly at the sight of a drenched Sirius jogging past in the dark. That's one lap.
We sat in silence for a few moments. A comfortable one. As I continued to lay on the couch, absently stroking my cheek that still tingled, I was again struck dumb that I was lucky enough to be in a situation like this. These guys were so cool, and I...well, I was no where as cool as these guys.
My mind clouded with that thought, I fidgeted around until I was lying on my side. Jim turned his head to look at me and I met his eye. We smiled at each other.
Panting drew our eyes to the doorway. Sirius was back, drenched from the rain. He pointed at Peter, wordlessly for a few seconds, walking over and sitting on the ground. "You're gonna get it," he warned. Peter snorted, laughing loudly at Sirius' expense.
"Merlin's beard, Sirius," said Remus, "you could at least dry off." He took the liberty of waving his wand, and Sirius was dried in an instant. Sirius merely grunted.
His emotions were a pendulum. One instant he was glaring daggers at anything his eye caught, then the next, his back straightened and he exclaimed, "Lily, truth or dare."
I looked away from the fireplace and my smile wavered at the mischievous sparkle in his eye. I propped my head up against my open palm and hesitated. After a few beats, I replied, "Um...dare." I think.
The satisfied smirk that settled on Sirius' lips brought me to regret my decision at once. "Splendid!"
I frowned.
"Lily, I dare you to kiss James." I froze. My hesitation must have triggered something in Sirius, for he no longer looked so triumphant. He looked...sheepish?
Remus snuck a quick, apprehensive look over at Jim, who was glaring daggers at Sirius. Peter was shaking his head, his hand covering his mouth, watching everyone's expression.
I looked over at James, who was looking as indifferent as ever. When he caught my stare, though, he straightened and looked over at Sirius briefly before a small smile tugged his lips.
"How 'bout it?" James winked playfully.
I really didn't want to. But, not wanting to start something, I slowly sat up. "Alright," I said slowly, standing even slower. With a stifled sigh, I briskly walked over to James and knelt next to his chair. I smiled weakly at him before leaning in and pecking his lips. Quickly. That wasn't so bad...I guess. He was hot and all. But, dammit. Why couldn't Sirius have said, "Lily, kiss Jim."
When I stood, I ruffled his hair and walked back over to the couch, settling back down on it. I licked my lips, disappointed but not letting it show.
Actually, my attention had fallen on Sirius. He was mouthing something to Jim, who was still glaring heatedly back. I don't know why, but my suspicions rose at this. Sirius was random, but for me to kiss James... My brows furrowed as I struggled to make out what Sirius was saying. It looked like...I forgot. I forgot? What did that mean?
"So Lily!" Remus nearly shouted, jerking me back to reality, Sirius and Jim along with me. He had startled me; my heart was racing.
"What?" I asked shakily.
"Erm...uh, you're turn," he mumbled, blushing at his outburst.
I raised an eyebrow. "Okay...um, Peter, truth or dare." I completely forgot about my suspicions as the game continued for a while longer.
